Pioneering tech firms have revealed the trends they believe will dominate the next 12 months.

Artificial Intelligence tops the chart in the Tech South West tech trends ‘barometer’.

It is closely followed by automation and then augmented and virtual reality.

Dropping out of the top 10 were cloud services, big data, mobile services and apps.

The list is compiled by pioneering tech businesses who are part of Tech South West.

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Kate Doodson, joint CEO of Honiton-based digital specialists Cosmic and member of the Tech South West steering group, said: “It’s fascinating to see how artificial intelligence is generally accepted as the key tech trend once again. It’s fast becoming a reality for most businesses, particularly in areas like cyber-security and sales and marketing. However, what’s really interesting is the return of data and the growing recognition of just how much potential value there is in mining business data, an area that most organisations have still barely scratched the surface.”

Top Ten Tech Trends 2019

1. AI (1)

2. Automation (4)

3. Augmented and virtual reality (3)

4. Data collection (new)

5. Robotics (8)

6. Internet of Things (2)

7. Health tech (10)

8. Blockchain (9)

9. Drones (new)

10. Cybersecurity (5)

Tech firms in the South West are predicting a strong 2019 despite the continuing economic uncertainty around Brexit, according to the annual survey.

It revealed that 76% of technology firms in the region are positive about their prospects in 2019.

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But, overall confidence has dropped, with the figure falling from 85% for the year before. And, despite most firms remaining positive, when asked to compare this year with last, only 50% believed 2019 would be a better year financially for their business.

Economic conditions were cited as the biggest barrier to growth by 45% of companies, followed by the availability of talent (32%).

Toby Parkins, chairman of Tech South West and founder of Cornwall-based software firm HeadForwards

Toby Parkins, chairman of Tech South West and founder of Cornwall-based software firm HeadForwards, said: “Technology in the South West is a buoyant sector and companies are generally positive, but no sector is immune to the uncertainties of Brexit. One positive we have is the huge variety of small companies with technical specialisms, be that robotics or software development, operating across numerous areas from biotech and agritech to health tech and fin tech, with customers in the UK, Europe and around the world. That variety will continue to ensure the region’s tech sector continues to thrive.”

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Encouragingly, not a single firm who took the survey said they had an unsuccessful 2018, whilst 86% are looking to recruit at least the same amount or more employees than they did last year.

The survey also found that the lack of homegrown talent remains the main hindrance to recruiting in the South West (38% of firms). There has also been a slight increase in the number of firms concerned about funding (17% more concerned, 14% less concerned, 69% no change).

The South West has more than 10,000 technology companies, with technology being the fastest growing part of the region’s economy. Tech South West helps support, showcase and celebrate the region’s tech sector.